50. A Brilliant Display of Splendor

Days passed one by one. Lin Jiugē’s swordsmanship steadily improved—from cutting beans apart with her sword to slicing beans of a single color—and her skill kept rising rapidly. Occasionally, she would challenge her master to a grueling chase and battle, igniting the passion of the two children watching. They eagerly requested the same, only to be swiftly pinned down by a single finger from Lin Jiugē, after which they obediently focused on their training.

Before long, the day before the disciple recruitment arrived.

“You all should head back now. I’ve taught you everything I can. Go back and intensify your practice,” Lin Jiugē said.

“Master, can we formally take you as our teacher in the future?” Lei Lingxiao asked reluctantly.

“I'm afraid not. I don't meet the criteria to accept disciples. I’ve already taught you all I know,” Lin Jiugē shook her head, finally sending them off. They were indeed hindering her own progress; disciples were the last thing she needed.

“Junior Brother, can’t your disciple just pretend a little?” Wulei Duzun glanced at his reluctant grandnephew and the barely contained smile at the corners of Lin Jiugē’s lips.

“Exactly, Senior Brother, can’t you wait until we’re gone before doing whatever it is you do?” Their disdain was unmasked—what had once been gratitude had turned into a helpless amusement.

“Ahem, Jiugē didn’t even throw a farewell party, so that’s something,” Li Yun said, understanding his disciple well. Zhou Yan had simply become shameless and overly familiar. His disciple was not one to enjoy mingling with crowds.

“No matter what, thank you for this period of time,” the two expressed sincere gratitude, especially Zhang Geng. Zhang Boyu had undergone a profound transformation during this time.

As the four walked away, two elders caught Lin Jiugē’s voice.

“Master, Senior Brother, no training today. Tomorrow, Jiuci will be tested for aptitude. Let’s eat something good to nourish ourselves. Braised pork, sweet and sour pork, steamed fish, smoked chicken, plus some stir-fried greens and glutinous rice balls—how about that? For soup, fish broth or vegetable broth?”

The two elders twitched at the joyful tone. Should they go back and sample the food? It did sound tempting.

“Jiugē, just one vegetable? I want cabbage,” Zhou Yan suggested.

“Water spinach would do too,” Li Yun added.

“Let’s keep it simple with two meat dishes: sweet and sour pork and steamed fish,” Li Yun continued.

“For the staple, dumplings or noodles?” Lin Jiugē agreed.

“Dumplings, please. Last time, Sister used squid ink to make black dumplings—they were quite good,” Zhou Yan recalled fondly.

“Green dumplings with spinach juice filling aren’t bad either.”

“Then three types of fillings it is. I’ll go prepare them,” Lin Jiugē said, stepping off cheerfully toward the kitchen.

“Jiugē’s in a really good mood,” Li Yun remarked.

“No debts, no worries. Uncle, remember to settle the childcare fees with me,” Zhou Yan said, feeling relieved, then added thoughtfully.

“What fees? Go ask your master,” Li Yun deflected.

“My master will demand them, but Uncle, you have to pay too,” Zhou Yan was clear about the division.

“Haven’t I paid already?” Li Yun feigned ignorance.

“Uncle, that’s not fair,” Zhou Yan looked disdainful at his cheating uncle.

“Ha ha,” Li Yun tried to laugh it off.

That evening, the five enjoyed a fine meal. Lin Jiuci held her belly, feeling truly full.

“Jiuci, stick close to Uncle tomorrow, it’ll be fine,” Lin Jiugē instructed. Since she had joined late, she hadn’t yet experienced the grand ceremony of disciple recruitment at Daiyue Sect.

“I know,” Jiuci nodded.

The next day, clutching the hand of Wudao Yuanzun tightly, Lin Jiuci stepped forward—today was her public ceremony to formally become a disciple.

In the great hall, besides the disciples chosen from the mortal realm, those preselected by various powerful figures also appeared. The brightest among them was Lin Jiuci, led by Wudao Yuanzun.

“Begin,” the sect leader called.

In the center stood a striking stone pillar. Lin Jiuci stared at it curiously.

“Senior Brother Sect Leader, Jiuci is last,” Wudao Yuanzun said confidently, fully trusting Lin Jiuci’s aptitude.

One by one, the preselected children advanced. Their aptitudes were generally green. When it came to Zhang Boyu, his aptitude soared past green into blue, nearly touching purple. Curious and envious gazes turned toward him.

Zhang Boyu puffed out his chest proudly at this moment.

Next was Lei Lingxiao, who, like Zhang Boyu, shot past blue with a faint purple hue. The powerful figures present took a deep breath in astonishment.

“Senior Brother Wulei, my grandnephew has excellent aptitude.”

“Senior Brother Wusi, my grandson’s aptitude is also outstanding.”

Soon, only Lin Jiuci remained. The petite girl stood beneath the stone pillar, looking especially small. Her hand brushed the pillar.

A brilliant light shot upward, illuminating the entire hall. Her aptitude soared decisively to the peak.

“Hss.”

“Is this the little one Sister once brought along?”

“Both sisters are this outstanding.”

“Senior Brother Wudao, that’s unkind of you.”

“I call it having a keen eye for disciples,” Wudao Yuanzun said with mild surprise but great composure.

At the center of the hall, Lin Jiuci seemed to glow as well. All eyes blazed with envy and admiration. Everyone silently regretted their late action—since the elder sister’s aptitude was so exceptional, the younger must be equally gifted. Wudao Yuanzun had the advantage of proximity.

“Master,” Lin Jiuci returned to Wudao Yuanzun’s side, tugging at his robe, whispering, “These uncles and grandpas are so scary.”

“Calm down, don’t frighten Jiuci,” Wudao Yuanzun comforted her with a pat, glaring sharply at the crowd. If they scared his disciple, Lin Jiugē might just come wielding her sword on the spot!

Envy and jealousy filled the room. The sect leader’s faction was utterly ruthless—not taking disciples was one thing, but when they did, they only chose the best. The elder sister had already been shamelessly taken by Wuzhan, now the younger was eyed by Wudao! Everyone else wanted disciples with such outstanding aptitude!

Those not blinded by Lin Jiuci’s aptitude noticed something else: the second and third best, Lei Lingxiao and Zhang Boyu, had both spent time at the sect’s academy. Rumors circulated that they sought Lin Jiugē to teach their grandnephew and grandson. Did Lin Jiugē have some secret method?

“Senior Brother Wudao, does Jiugē have some secret technique?” someone asked.

“Secret technique? What’s that?” Wudao Yuanzun seemed genuinely unaware.

“Senior Brother, that’s not fair. Shouldn’t you share it?” With the top three all from the academy, aptitude determined cultivation speed, and they couldn’t let their juniors fall behind.

“It’s nothing much—just basic training and herbal baths,” Wudao Yuanzun replied casually.

“Herbal baths!” someone caught the key point.

“Indeed, I prepare them myself. Any problem with that?” They had discussed this the previous night and unanimously decided to pin the secret on Wudao Yuanzun. The fewer people knew about Lin Jiugē’s godlike eyes, the better.

It was definitely suspicious, but no one argued. The sect leader’s faction was notorious for protecting their own and only believing in their own way, and they were powerless to change that.

“Senior Brother Wudao, I’m willing to fund this. Would you consider helping out?”

“No thanks, I have to teach my disciples,” was the polite but firm refusal.

“Teaching disciples can be good practice, right?”